The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

The proximity of our faces has my mouth turning dry and my heart beginning to race again.

I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s frightening. I’ve never felt this way before, and I don’t think I like it.

When we both remain frozen in place, one of Alex’s companions clears his throat. “Uh, do you want to let the waitress go, boss?”

Awareness flickers in Alex’s eyes as if he’s suddenly realizing the position we’re in. He steadies me before releasing his grip on me. I’m about to thank him when he suddenly says in an irritated voice, “Watch your step next time. You nearly dropped my plate.”

All the gratefulness vanishes from within me like a wisp of smoke, and I give him a sharp look. “I didn’t ask you to help. You should’ve let me fall.”

His eyes widen. “Excuse me?”

I don’t know what has come over me. It’s like I’ve been possessed by the spirit of a cranky old man who cannot keep his mouth shut.

Before I say something I regret, I turn around and stomp off.

“She really does not like you, man,” the same guy laughs.

“Are you hurt, Sophia?” Elsa asks as I walk past her.

“I’m fine!” I feel embarrassed and a little bit humiliated. I didn’t ask that man to catch me. It’s not the first time I’ve fallen on my face or my ass. And none of this would’ve happened if he hadn’t touched my hand.

I don’t care if my thoughts sound childish.

Alone in the bathroom, I wash my hands and splash some water on my face. I’m starting to regret not taking Elsa up on her offer. I am not myself today. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I slap some color into my cheeks. “Get a grip, Sophia.”

I don’t know why I’m feeling on edge today. It’s like the wires in my brain got crossed, and I can’t seem to uncross them. I know this group of men is looking for a shifter who’s taking part in the cage fights. I need to stay as inconspicuous as possible. What am I doing, antagonizing their leader and making him pay attention to me? It isn’t going to end well for me if I keep this up.

Splashing some more water on my face, I try to cool myself down. I’ve never been outright rude to a customer before. This was not the day to start.

When I come back out, I feel a little more relaxed. Eve and Monty, the two servers who were late for their shifts, have arrived and are already working the floor. Elsa waves to me, and I head over to her.

“We have the health and safety inspection next week, so I’ll be in my office getting the paperwork in order. I think we have enough wait staff for now.”

“You want me at the bar, then?” I ask, glancing toward the table where Alex and his group are sitting. Almost as if he can sense my gaze on him, he turns his head and looks straight at me. I feel my cheeks turn red, and I immediately avert my eyes.

It should be a crime to be that hot.

But looks aren’t everything. So what if he’s attractive, I grumble silently to myself. He’s mean as a snake.

“Yes, and in—” Elsa checks her watch, “an hour, we’ll be getting a delivery of some raw supplies for breakfast tomorrow, so make sure you sign for that.”

“Got it.”

Elsa leaves for her office, and I slip behind the bar. Fortunately, Eve is handling my tables now, and that makes me feel relieved. But even as I serve customers their drinks, I can’t stop my eyes from darting to where Alex is sitting. I don’t like him. I’m sure of it. Although…

I pinch myself, mumbling, “Stop acting as if he’s the first man you’ve ever laid eyes on.”

I can feel my wolf rumble within me. I’m not the only one interested in this guy. Maybe I’ve finally hit my sexual peak, if that even exists. It’s the only thing that makes sense to me. But I’d rather get punched in the face by Mountain Man than look at Alex again.

As I mix a drink, I wonder what happened to Roger Clark, a.k.a. Mountain Man. He hasn’t been back at the bar since our showdown at the arena. I know he had a couple more matches this week. I did worry that he might have figured out what I was since I showed him my claws and whatnot, but he wouldn’t complain about me. Cage fighting is illegal for humans, too, and participants are harshly punished. I doubt he wants to stare at prison walls for the rest of his life.

That is, if his tiny brain figured it out.

“Sophia,” Eve says as she walks over, a troubled look on her face. “Those men at table four didn’t leave a tip, but the tall one told me to give you this.”

“What?” I take the folded napkin she is handing me and turn it over, only to see something written on it in incredibly neat handwriting.

Miss Manners’ Guide to Grace and Balance, by Levi Thompson.